1. Southern and Eastern Asia RELIGIONS

2. Islam
Monotheistic
Came to India when Muslim armies conquered the region
Practice the Five Pillars of Islam
Public declaration – Belief in one god, Allah, and Muhammad as a messenger
Pray 5 times a day facing in the direction of Mecca
Charity to the poor
Fasting during the holy month of Ramadan
Hajj to Mecca at least once
Quran is holy book

3. Hinduism Considered the world’s oldest living religion
Began nearly 4000 years ago near the Indus River
Makes up more than 80% of India’s population (over 900 million followers globally)
Ganges River is considered sacred by Hindus
Has no founder, no single teacher, nor any prophets
Sacred texts called the Vedas

4. 3 Main Gods: Brahma – the creator Vishnu – the protector/preserver
Shiva – the destroyer

5. Hindu beliefs
many gods and goddesses, but all are a part of one supreme being – Brahma
all life is holy
Most devout Hindus are vegetarian or vegan, but in particular they will not eat meat from a cow.
Cows, monkeys, elephants, and snakes are sacred.
Sacred cows are allowed to wander wherever they like, even through busy traffic.

6. Worship is done individually at temple or at a shrine at home
Families may worship together
Various gods are worshipped depending on needs, day of the week, family tradition, etc.

7. Reincarnation
the idea that after death a person’s soul is reborn into a different body
depending on how a person lived (karma), rebirth may return that person in a higher or lower caste or as an animal
cycle of death, rebirth, life continues until perfection is reached (moksha)

8. The Caste System inherited social class
determines job, marriage, friends
less important today- technically
illegal in India but still there
unofficially- especially has
bad effects on the poor
4 main castes:

9. Buddhism Karma and reincarnation are key beliefs.
Good karma puts one closer to enlightenment while bad karma causes more suffering.
Cycle of reincarnation is broken when one reaches enlightenment, called nirvana.
Buddha is not a god, but a teacher.
Buddhism teaches compassion and tolerance for all living things which is why many Buddhists are vegetarians.
Very peaceful way of life; no wars to be fought in the name of Buddhism

10. Siddhartha Gautama
Born an Indian prince in 563 B.C. into the warrior caste
Led a life of luxury in his palace
Never suffered or saw other people suffer
One day he saw a sick man, an old man, and a dead man
Bothered him greatly
Lived without any comforts for six years

11. Buddhism…cont’d.
Discovered the truth about life while meditating under a tree
Became known as Buddha, the “enlightened one”
Began to follow the “Middle Way” – a life neither luxurious nor in poverty
Rejected the Hindu caste system and the idea of a supreme being
Spent the rest of his life teaching others how to reach enlightenment

12. Four Noble Truths Life is suffering.
The cause of suffering is people’s self-centered desires.
The way to escape suffering is to get rid of self- centered desires.
To get rid of desire, one must follow the Eightfold Path.

13. The Eightfold Path
Wisdom
Mental Discipline
Ethical Conduct

14. Shintoism Japanese religion means “way of the gods” Belief in Kami
supernatural beings that live in all things in nature
extremely close to everyday life
know each person’s needs and guide people’s decisions
No founder and no sacred text
Participation through traditional rites and festivals in the shrines and at home

15. Confucianism
Philosophy (not really a religion) of Confucius (born 550 B.C.)
Believed the key to peace was for people to behave with good character and virtue
5 important relationships
ruler and subject
parent and child
husband and wife
older sibling and younger sibling
friend and friend

17. Daoism (Taoism) Tao means “the way” founder is Lao Tzu
teaches that whatever shall be, shall be
Yin and yang represent good and evil in nature
these must balance for there to be harmony
Happiness is achieved by looking to the harmony in nature